Department for Transport

Railway Stations: Security

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what security measures have been implemented on platforms at underground and mainline rail stations to protect the public from acts of violence or terrorism.

Claire Perry: The Secretary of State regulates the national rail network in Great Britain, and other networks such as the London Underground, to provide appropriate protective security regimes against acts of terrorism. For reasons of security it is not appropriate to discuss these regimes in detail, but they require the implementation of a range of measures by industry which are adapted to the level of assessed threat and which can be varied according to the threat assessment at particular times. The measures directed by the Department are complemented by the counter terrorism activities of the British Transport Police (BTP). The BTP also undertake a full range of policing activities to protect those using our railways against wider criminal acts.

Railways: Greater London

Mr John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which main contractors were responsible for engineering work north of King's Cross station during the Christmas 2014 period.

Claire Perry: The work was undertaken by the “Northern S&C Alliance”. The Northern S&C Alliance is one of two contractual alliances recently set up by Network Rail and comprises Network Rail and Amey Rail, the contractual obligations of Amey Rail being discharged by the AmeySersa Joint Venture.

Motor Vehicles: Leasing

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with businesses on the effects on vehicle leasing companies of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I have had no discussions about vehicle leasing but I do meet with both Accredited Trade Associations in the private parking sector - the British Parking Association and the Independent Parking Committee – as do officials in my Department.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Mr David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2014 to Question 217210, how much funding his Department has allocated to each district and unitary council in (a) Suffolk, (b) Bedfordshire, (c) Cambridgeshire, (d) Essex, (e) Hertfordshire and (f) Norfolk for road improvement in each year since 2005.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The table below lists the funding the Department for Transport has allocated to (a) Suffolk, (b) Bedfordshire, (c) Cambridgeshire, (d) Essex, (e) Hertfordshire and (f) Norfolk for road improvement since 2005:  £m£m£m£m£m£mYearSuffolkBedfordshire*CambridgeshireEssexHertfordshireNorfolk05/0622.69.421.031.921.229.306/0723.69.621.430.023.930.507/0821.57.820.334.924.232.508/0923.08.721.433.625.631.409/1021.79.219.439.425.930.510/1123.29.518.960.026.532.111/1227.210.417.861.230.635.212/1321.89.114.834.424.826.713/1424.317.316.833.127.230.414/1533.914.820.344.532.960.8* from 2010/11 Bedfordshire split into the 2 unitary authorities of Central Bedfordshire and Bedford and therefore this figure is the sum of their allocations. The Department does not provide any funding directly to district councils. The table below lists the funding provided to the Unitary Authorities that fall within the historical counties of Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Norfolk for road improvement since 2005:  £m£m£m£m£m£mYearBedford*Central Bedfordshire*LutonPeterboroughSouthend on SeaThurrock05/06  4.05.54.46.606/07  3.54.14.35.307/08  4.07.74.53.208/09  6.56.44.13.009/10  3.911.04.13.110/113.95.63.310.53.72.911/124.36.12.95.53.53.212/133.85.34.94.52.93.013/148.88.513.88.43.22.914/155.29.65.37.26.73.5* from 2010/11 the 2 unitary authorities of Central Bedfordshire and Bedford came into being and therefore this figure is the sum of the allocations to Bedfordshire. These tables include funding we have provided through the local Highways Maintenance Block, Integrated Transport Block, Severe Weather Funding, Local Major Projects and Local Pinch Point Fund schemes. The table does not include funding provided through the Bus Service Operators Grant, Local Sustainable Transport Fund, or Cycling Grant. Local authorities are also able to use revenue funding, allocated by the Department of Communities and Local Government through the Revenue Support Grant for maintaining their local highways. It is for local highway authorities to decide upon their spending priorities across the whole range of services that they provide.

Home Office

G4S and Serco

Mr Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on how many occasions (a) Serco and (b) G4S have tendered for contracts let by her Department in each year since May 2010.

Karen Bradley: Both Serco and G4S have operated contracts issued by the Home Office under different governments for more than a decade.The number of contracts that Serco have tendered for and has been let by the Secretary of State for the Home Department since May 2010 is 5. For the purposes of this question we have used the date that the tender process commenced as the relevant date.Serco 2010/11 – 12011/12 – 12012/13 – 12013/14 – 22014/15 – 0Total = 5The number of contracts that G4S have tendered for and has been let by the Secretary of State for the Home Department since May 2010 is 9. For the purposes of this question we have used the date that the tender process commenced as the relevant date.G4S2010/11 – 32011/12 – 12012/13 – 22013/14 – 12014/15 – 2Total = 9

Biometrics

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy that biometric material is taken from and retained in respect of suspected criminals in England and Wales who have been convicted of serious offences previously in (a) Scotland, (b) Northern Ireland and (c) other EU countries; and if she will make a statement.

Mike Penning: The Government’s policy is that biometric material should wherever possible be taken from suspected criminals and retained in the circumstances described in the question.If a person is arrested in Scotland or Northern Ireland their biometric material will normally be taken in those jurisdictions; if they then go on to be convicted in those jurisdictions, their biometric material will be retained both on the local Scottish and Northern Irish DNA databases and on the national UK-wide DNA and fingerprint databases. However, if a person is arrested and convicted in Scotland or Northern Ireland but does not have their biometrics taken, then is later arrested in England or Wales, the law requires that the biometrics taken on the English or Welsh arrest can only be retained because of the Scottish or Northern Irish conviction if it is equivalent to a ‘qualifying’ (serious) offence in England and Wales, and only if a police inspector explicitly approved taking the biometrics following the English or Welsh arrest.The law on retaining biometrics taken in England and Wales on the basis of a conviction in other EU countries is the same as the law on retaining such biometrics on the basis of a conviction in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Convictions for serious offences in Scotland and Northern Ireland are recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC) and are thus known to the police in England and Wales. We are also informed of a number of convictions for serious offences in the EU of UK and non-UK nationals. Such convictions become known through requests made to other EU countries. Under this Government the police are making vastly more requests for the previous convictions of EU nationals arrested in the UK - 49,374 requestswere made in 2014 up to 1 December compared with 8,351 in the whole of 2010. The Government has also expanded the list of offences which are recorded on the PNC when a request has revealed convictionsoutside the UK. The Biometrics Commissioner’s Annual Report highlighted further improvements that can be made to police visibility of convictions received in EU countries and we have already taken steps to address this. These will be described in detail in the Government's formal response.

Bail

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the change was in the average length of time spent by defendants on bail before charging between 2004 and 2014.

Mike Penning: Holding answer received on 09 January 2015



The Home Office does not hold the data requested. We have specifically requested police forces and other criminal justice agencies to provide us with data on their current use of pre-charge bail in the consultation document "Pre-Charge Bail: A Consultation on the Introduction of Statutory Time Limits and Related Changes", published on 18 December 2014. This consultation will close on 8 February.

Asylum: France

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers who first entered the UK through France claimed asylum in the UK in each year since 2010.

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers claimed asylum in the UK in each year since 2010, by the countries through which they first entered the EU.

James Brokenshire: The information requested by the Right Honourable member could only be obtained at a disproportional cost.

Immigration: Kilmarnock

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many unresolved immigration cases there are relating to people currently residing in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency.

James Brokenshire: According to internal management information, as at 30 September 2014 the Home Office was dealing with 30 unresolved asylum and immigration cases relating to individuals with an address located in the Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency.

Offenders: Deportation

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's news story of 6 January 2015 on deport first, appeal later measures, how many of the nearly 800 foreign criminals that have been removed had been (a) convicted, (b) subject to a custodial sentence and (c) subject to a suspended or other non-custodial sentence.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 09 January 2015



Those who break our laws should be removed from the country at the earliest opportunity, and we will seek to remove any foreign national criminal who receives a custodial sentence for a criminal offence. The deport first, appeal later measures were introduced by this Government through s.17(3) Immigration Act 2014 and regulations 29(3) and 24AA of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 (as amended). These measures apply to individuals who are liable to deportation because of their criminal offending. All of the individuals subject to these measures have served a custodial sentence for criminal offences. More than 300 foreign national offenders have already been removed, with nearly 500 more currently going through the system.

Cybercrime

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps she has taken to increase the number of police trained to deal with cybercrime; and if she will make a statement.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 12 January 2015



Cyber is a Tier One threat to national security, and the Government is investing £860 million over five years through the National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP) to respond. Of this, approximately 10% is being invested in building law enforcement capabilities to tackle cyber crime. This has been used to build capability at the national, regional, and local level. We have established a National Cyber Crime Unit within the National Crime Agency (NCA), and cyber teams within each of the Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs). NCSP funding is being used to train officers in these units to investigate the most serious cases of cyber crime.We are also delivering training in cyber crime to officers in local police forces. The College of Policing has designed four training modules on cyber crime aimed at police officers and staff, on cyber,digital and social media. Since they were rolled out in 2013, over 120,000 of these modules have been completed. The College and police forces have also been delivering a classroom-based course to police investigators, which gives them the understanding of how to exploit intelligence and evidential opportunities offered by technology, social networking and communications data.Over the next year we will continue to build law enforcement capability to tackle cyber crime. This includes increased staffing levels and technical resource. As part of this, there will be a large expansion in the NCA's pilot programme of "cyber specials" – volunteer officers who have specialist expertise that is highly valuable to law enforcement – and an increase over the next three years to 80 volunteer cyber specialists in the NCA and forces across the country.

Cybercrime

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police forces have a strategy in place to tackle cybercrime; and if she will make a statement.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 12 January 2015



The response to threats within each police force area and consequent allocation of resources is a matter for each Chief Constable, in consultation with their Police and Crime Commissioner. However the Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR) articulates the national threats to which local forces must have regard, and cyber crime and a large-scale cyber incident included, meaning they must be taken into account when deciding resource allocations.Cyber, including cyber crime, was recognised as a Tier 1 threat to national security in the 2010 National Security Strategy. The Government has responded by investing £860 million over five years through the National Cyber Security Programme (NCSP). Approximately 10% of this has been invested in building law enforcement agencies’ capabilities to respond to this threat, including setting up the National Cyber Crime Unit in the National Crime Agency, and cyber teams in each of the Regional Organised Crime Units, as well as providing training for officers in local police forces.

Crimes of Violence: Greater London

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she last discussed with the Mayor of London in his capacity as Police and Crime Commissioner for London the change in the level of crime recorded as violence against the person by the Metropolitan Police in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken in response to the recent increase in crime in London recorded as violence against the person; and if she will make a statement.

Mike Penning: Holding answer received on 12 January 2015



Home Office Ministers have regular meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.According to the latest crime figures published by the Office for National Statistics, the Crime Survey for England and Wales shows a 23% fall in violence in the year to the end of June 2014, and this is supported by NHS data on hospital admissions for assault which also indicates violence is falling. Over the same period, the number of violence offences recorded by the police rose by 11%, with the Metropolitan Police one of the forces seeing a rise. The Office for National Statistics noted that the increase in police recorded violence is partly due to improved reporting and recording of violence and particularly of domestic abuse. This improvement follows HMIC's inspection of crime recording in every police force in England and Wales, which the Home Secretary commissioned in 2013, and which found significant under-recording of crime. The data shows that forces are acting on the findings.We also know that some violent crimes like domestic and sexual violence are under-reported. We welcome more people reporting them to the police and we want to see more cases being brought to justice.

Terrorism

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the current level of threat posed by Islamic terror groups in the UK.

James Brokenshire: The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre assesses the threat level to the UK from international terrorism to be SEVERE - an attack is a strong possiblity. The threat level is kept under constant review.

Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour

Mr John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to ratify the International Labour Organisation Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention.

Karen Bradley: The UK supported the introduction of the 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention, and is undertaking a wide range of activity to tackle forced labour, as well as other forms of modern slavery. We are committed to ratifying the Protocol, which we consider the UK already meets, and will do so following consultation with other Departments and the Devolved Administrations.

Radicalism

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of using psychologists in the Government's anti-radicalisation programmes.

James Brokenshire: Channel is the Government’s programme to prevent vulnerable people from being drawn into terrorism. Local agencies work together to assess the risk and where necessary provide tailored support; panels may include mental health services such as psychologists if considered appropriate for a particular case.

Radicalism

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the level of threat to journalists in the UK from radical Islamic extremists; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 12 January 2015



The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre assesses the threat level to the UK from international terrorism to be SEVERE - an attack is a strong possiblity. The Threat Level is kept under constant review.

Travellers

Mr David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2015 to Question 219411, what policy considerations led to the decision to retain the Census 2001 framework.

Mike Penning: Holding answer received on 13 January 2015



The Home Office, taking advice from senior officers, has decided against the transition to the Census 2011 classification for the forces of England and Wales at this time on the grounds that the costs involved in changing the current classifications would be considerable and disproportionate. However, the Home Office and policing partners will continue to keep the situation under careful review.

Crime Prevention

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the current number of police officers employed as crime prevention officers; and if she will make a statement.

Mike Penning: Holding answer received on 13 January 2015



The Home Secretary has been clear that all police officers have a single mission: to cut crime. However, it is for chief officers and Police and Crime Commissioners to determine how to use their available resources. The number of police officers in England and Wales carrying out roles which support crime prevention activities (defined as officers in the community safety/relations and neighbourhoods functions categories, as at 31 March 2010 to 2014) has risen from 20,926 in 2010 to 25,098 in 2014. This represents an increase from 14.6% to 19.6% of the total officer workforce.

Domestic Violence

Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether every police force has an action plan in place to ensure that domestic violence is dealt with quickly and fairly.

Mike Penning: Holding answer received on 12 January 2015



All 43 police forces have now published domestic abuse action plans, which have been reviewed by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.Following the publication of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary’s report of the police response to domestic abuse in March 2014, the Home Secretary wrote to all chief constables making it clear that every police force must have an action plan in place to detail how they would improve their response to domestic abuse.

Asylum: Syria

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment criteria are used for the Syrian vulnerable persons relocation scheme.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) average and (b) longest time taken has been to process a Syrian refugee through the Syrian vulnerable persons relocation scheme up to their relocation in the UK.

James Brokenshire: The Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) scheme is designed to complement our humanitarian aid efforts and is based on need. The scheme is designed to help particularly vulnerable individuals displaced by the Syrian crisis who cannot be supported effectively in the region, particularly survivors of torture and violence, women and children at risk and those in need of medical care. We are working closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to identify the most vulnerable people displaced by the conflict and UNHCR are best placed to ensure that the corresponding referrals are responsive to need. Given the serious vulnerability of the beneficiaries, our priority is to ensure that the support and accommodation they need is in place before they arrive in the UK. We are working closely with UNHCR, the International Organisation for Migration and local authority services to achieve this as soon as practically possible as the circumstances of each particular case allow. In view of this we do not apply a standard target time for relocation and we do not collect corresponding data on individual cases. We said that we would relocate several hundred people over three years and we are on course to achieve this.

Police and Crime Commissioners

Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) total cost and (b) cost in each principal category of expenditure was of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections in 2012; and in which months of 2012 costs for each of the principal items were incurred.

Mike Penning: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Drugs: Misuse

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps that do not require legislation have been taken by her Department in response to its review of new psychoactive substances since its publication; and what further such steps she plans to take before the end of the present Parliament (a) overall and (b) relating to head shops.

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the timetable is for implementation of each of the recommendations of her Department's review of new psychoactive substances.

Lynne Featherstone: In our response to the new psychoactive substances expert panel’s report, published on 30 October 2014, the Government set out a timetable for delivery of a number of the actions we are taking both under the present Parliament and beyond. Some of these have already been delivered. For example, Public Health England (PHE) has already delivered a new toolkit to help local areas to prevent and respond to the use of NPS. Other actions are underway, such as work with key enforcement partners to issue and/or update guidance to further tackle the supply of NPS generally as well as in "headshops". In addition, the Government continues to ensure that the Misuse of Drugs 1971 controls keep pace with the evolving NPS market. This includes controlling MT-45 and 4,4’-DMAR as Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.Work has begun on developing legislative proposals for a general ban on new psychoactive substances similar to that introduced in Ireland. The Government is moving swiftly so that new legislation is ready to be introduced at the earliest opportunity, notwithstanding the lack of appropriate legislative vehicle in this Parliament. In addition, statutory consultation has been initiated with the ACMD on the legislative proposal to adopt a new definition to ban all synthetic cannabinoids based on their effects on the brain.

Social Networking: Arrests

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many arrests were made last year as a result of alleged crimes committed using social media.

Karen Bradley: The Home Office does not collect information to this level of detail. The Home Office collects arrest data at offence group level. It does not collect details on specific circumstances of an arrest, such as whether crimes were committed using social media.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Columbia

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the finding by UNHCR that there were 40 killings of human rights defenders in Colombia in the first nine months of 2014, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in that country.

Mr Hugo Swire: We are aware of the report by Amnesty International which informs that the UNHCHR has confirmed the murder of at least 40 human rights defenders (HRDs) between January and September 2014. ABColombia’s 2014 report stated that 78 human rights defenders were assassinated in 2013, which suggests a decrease this year, though there are reports that threats against HRDs have increased in the same period. However, we await more comprehensive reports including data covering the whole of 2014.The UK Government publishes updates on the human rights situation in Colombia every quarter. The most recent report can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/colombia-country-of-concern/colombia-country-of-concern.

Saudi Arabia

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the Saudi Arabian government on the public flogging of Raif Badawi on 9 January 2015.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We condemn the use of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment in all circumstances.The UK is a strong supporter of freedom of expression around the world. We believe that people must be allowed to discuss and debate issues freely, challenge peacefully their governments and speak out against violations of human rights wherever they occur.We maintain a close dialogue with the Saudi Arabian government on these issues and will continue to do so.

Northern Ireland Office

Driving: Licensing

Dr William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she had with the Secretary of State for Transport before the decision of that Department to display the Union flag on driving licences only in England, Scotland and Wales.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: My hon Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on a range of matters concerning Northern Ireland, and have discussed the issue of proposals for the Union Flag to appear in Great Britain driving licences. However, driving licences are a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and it is for the devolved authorities to decide whether to adopt changes made elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

Attorney General

Government Departments: Judicial Review

Mr Andy Slaughter: To ask the Attorney General, what amount each Government department has spent on external legal fees relating to each case involving substantive judicial review hearings since May 2010; and what the outcome of the proceedings was in each such case.

Mr Robert Buckland: The Treasury Solicitor conducts most, but not all, litigation on behalf of government departments. For example, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs normally conducts its own litigation. In 2014 the Treasury Solicitor acted in about 17846 judicial reviews.   The Treasury Solicitor’s Department does not hold central records on the external legal fees paid in each individual case or on the outcome of each such case. Such information could not be created without examining every case file and thus incurring disproportionate costs.   In relation to external fees, the Attorney General maintains five panels of junior counsel to undertake civil and EC work for all Government Departments. There are three London panels (an A panel for senior juniors, a B panel for middle juniors and a C panel for junior juniors) together with a Regional panel and a Public International Law panel. This is in addition to First Treasury Counsel (FTC) who exclusively does Government work, and to the Standing Counsel to certain Departments.  The hourly rates for panel counsel are as follows:   First Treasury Counsel - £230   A panel - £120   B panel - £80   C panel - £60 if under 5 years call and £80 if over 5 years call.   In relation to outcomes, the Ministry of Justice publish figures on the number of Judicial Reviews by each Department up to 2012:   See Table 4.3 at the link below:   https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/267408/additional-court-tables-2012.xls   This shows the number of cases each year where Government departments were named as first defendant and where the judicial review was granted following a substantive hearing.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

City Link

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what meetings officials or Ministers of his Department have had with representatives of City Link in the last 12 months.

Matthew Hancock: Holding answer received on 09 January 2015



Better Capital notified the department of City Link’s imminent administration by telephone on 23 December 2014. Otherwise, no Ministers or officials have had meetings with individuals or groups representing City Link in the last 12 months.   As my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has stated, he was in frequent contact with the Unions over the Christmas and New Year period to discuss developments and BIS officials have been in regular contact with City Link’s administrator.

Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he takes to ensure that equipment for which arms export licences to Saudi Arabia have been granted is not used for internal repression.

Matthew Hancock: The UK aims to operate one of the most rigorous and transparent export control systems in the world. All export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking into account all prevailing circumstances at the time of application. Exports to Saudi Arabia continue to be subject to close scrutiny, in particular under Criterion Two which concerns the ‘respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country of final destination as well as respect by that country for international humanitarian law’. The Government will not issue an export licence if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression.   Export licences are kept under review in the light of changing international circumstances. A cross-government mechanism can suspend or revoke extant licences when a changing situation, such as an outbreak of conflict or acts of internal repression, means the licence would no longer be consistent with the Consolidated Criteria.

Department for International Development

Developing Countries: Fisheries

Mr John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the effects of super trawlers on the sustainability of coastal fishing communities in developing countries.

Mr Desmond Swayne: Assessments of the status of fisheries and their sustainability, including coastal fisheries in developing countries, are undertaken by national authorities and compiled periodically into regional assessments by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.   DFID has provided support both bilaterally and through international organisations to strengthen the governance of fisheries in developing countries. This has included efforts to tackle illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing in West Africa.

Bangladesh

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many foreign exchange transactions involving less than £2 million her Department has made to Bangladesh in each financial year since 2010-11.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many foreign exchange transactions involving less than £2 million her Department has made to India in each financial year since 2010-11.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many foreign exchange transactions involving less than £2 million her Department has made to Ethiopia in each financial year since 2010-11.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many foreign exchange transactions involving less than £2 million her Department has made to Tanzania in each financial year since 2010-11.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many foreign exchange transactions involving less than £2 million her Department has made to Nigeria in each financial year since 2010-11.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many foreign exchange transactions involving less than £2 million her Department has made to Pakistan in each financial year since 2010-11.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many foreign exchange transactions involving less than £2 million her Department has made to Afghanistan in each financial year since 2010-11.

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2014 to Question 216682, what the top five countries were to which payments under £2 million were made in each financial year since 2010-11.

Justine Greening: It is not possible for the department to answer any of these questions without incurring disproportionate costs.

Caribbean

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, for what reasons her Department is increasing its allocation of non-humanitarian funding to the Caribbean from 2013-14 to 2014-15.

Justine Greening: DFID is not increasing its non-humanitarian funding to the Caribbean from 2013-14 to 2014-15.

Department for Education

Annual Reports

Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when her Department's Annual Report and Accounts for 2013-14 will be published; and what the reasons are for the time taken to publish that report.

Mr Nick Gibb: The Department for Education’s 2013-14 Annual Report and Accounts is due to be laid in Parliament on 19 January 2015 and published on 20 January 2015. The accounts cover three executive agencies (Education Funding Agency, Standards Testing Agency and National College of Teaching Leadership), and two executive non-departmental public bodies (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service and the Office of the Children’s Commissioner). In addition they also consolidate the accounts of 2,585 Academy Trusts, operating 3,905 schools. As the accounts will explain in more detail, this consolidation is a significant piece of work, involving a number of technical accounting challenges, and it is not possible to complete it in time to enable publication within the usual Parliamentary pre-summer recess timeframe.

Literacy: Primary Education

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with (a) the Read On. Get On. campaign and (b) members and supporters of that campaign on improving the reading ability of primary school children.

Mr Nick Gibb: The Government is committed to eliminating illiteracy and wants all children to read easily, fluently and with good understanding. We have made improving the teaching of reading a priority, and reforms to the education system have been designed to help every child become a confident and enthusiastic reader. We recognise, however, that there is still further to go if we want every child to be reading well by age 11. We are therefore working to ensure that our policies are properly embedded so that they can have the maximum possible impact on the outcomes of our children.   We have welcomed the ‘Read On. Get On.’ campaign and its goal of helping all children to be able to read confidently and are pleased to see a wide range of organisations engaging with this vital mission. The Department and ministers have had a number of conversations with members of the ‘Read On. Get On’ coalition during the campaign, and actively support schools to play their part in this work.

Literacy: Primary Education

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that every child can read by the time they finish primary school.

Mr Nick Gibb: The new primary national curriculum for English, introduced in September 2014, sets more rigorous and challenging content. It has been designed to ensure that all children can leave primary school fully literate and ready to progress to secondary school.   We have strengthened the requirements on learning to read through systematic synthetic phonics as evidence shows this to be the most effective way of teaching all children to read. We have introduced the phonics screening check at age 6 to determine which children require additional support. The result from this year’s phonics screening check show that, three years on from its introduction, 100,000 more six-year-olds (based on 2014 cohort numbers) are now on track to become confident readers. Between September 2011 and October 2013 the Government provided up to £3,000 in match funding to each state funded school with pupils in Years 1 and 2 to enable them to buy effective, systematic synthetic phonics resources and training for their teachers. Through this scheme over 14,000 schools claimed a total of over £23.7 million. The new national curriculum places a greater focus on the importance of accurate spelling and grammar so we have introduced a new Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling test at Key Stage 2. The 2014 Key Stage 2 results show that our reforms are already having an effect; a record proportion of children (89%) reached the expected standard of reading. Attainment in reading has increased for disadvantaged pupils to 78% in 2013, up from 73% in 2011.

Ministry of Justice

Ministers' Private Offices

Mr Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff who worked in ministerial offices in his Department were from (a) the Civil Service and (b) external bodies (i) between May 2005 and May 2010 and (ii) since May 2010.

Simon Hughes: All staff employed in Ministerial private offices are employed by the civil service. This includes Special Advisers, who are employed as temporary civil servants. Since November 2012, an independent contractor has also worked alongside the private office to provide advice to the Justice Secretary on his priority reform programmes.

Electronic Tagging

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much the new contract for electronic monitoring is costing his Department in each year of the contract.

Andrew Selous: The annual cost of the Ministry of Justice’s new electronic monitoring contracts is forecast as follows:2015/162016/172017/182018/192019/202020/21£114.5M£81.8M£61.2M£59.4M£56.6M£56.6M The figure for 2015/16 incorporates the cost of mobilising the contracts. We expect the new contracts to deliver average annual savings of approximately £20m relative to the previous contracts with G4S and Serco. These new contracts will allow us to introduce some of the most advanced electronic monitoring technology in the world. Satellite tagging will allow us to keep a much closer watch on the most high-risk and persistent offenders who cause so much harm in our communities, creating a safer society with fewer victims.

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the work of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Mike Penning: The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is an independent body, and as such its effectiveness is not measured by my Department. My officials have a sponsorship role and the CCRC report to the Ministry of Justice on a regular basis; as such I am fully appraised of the performance of the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The CCRC provide an annual report which can be found on their website.

Legal Costs

Mr Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much the Government spent on legal fees in the case Gudanaviciene & Ors, R (on the application of) v The Director of Legal Aid Casework & Or [2014] EWCA Civ 1622 (15 December 2014).

Mr Shailesh Vara: The Ministry of Justice is unable to provide the total expenditure in this case. Some issues of costs between the parties are yet to be determined and the Ministry of Justice has yet to receive final bills for legal fees and disbursements. In addition, legal advisers within the Legal Aid Agency do not claim for time spent advising on the defence of individual legal challenges brought against the Director of Legal Aid Casework unless pursuing costs from an opponent.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many benefit sanctions have been overturned on appeal because the claimant met the reasonableness test because of (a) domestic violence, (b) mental health conditions or disorders, (c) bullying or harassment in the workplace, (d) homelessness, (e) losing a work experience opportunity, other than for a reason of gross misconduct, (f) travelling time, (g) break-up of the family, (h) short notice caring commitments for the elderly, sick or children, (i) domestic emergency, (j) family bereavement, (k) learning difficulties, poor numeracy or literacy, (l) legal constraints and (m) temporary changes in circumstances in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12, (iv) 2012-13, (v) 2013-14 and (vi) 2014-15 to date.

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many sanctions relating to each benefit have been overturned on appeal in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13, (e) 2013-14 and (f) 2014-15 to date.

Mr Shailesh Vara: The First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support), administered by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), hears appeals against Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) decisions on a range of benefits. HMCTS does not record data specifically relating to appeals against sanctions imposed by DWP and does not therefore hold the information requested.

Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission

Absent Voting

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of postal voters did not transfer to the individual electoral register in each (i) local authority and (ii) parliamentary constituency.

Mr Gary Streeter: The Commission has previously published information on the number and proportion of postal voters matched as a result of the confirmation process. This data is available on the Commission’s website by ward and local authority, but not by parliamentary constituency. It was published last year on 21 October for England and Wales and on 25 November for Scotland.· England and Wales: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/excel_doc/0006/177963/CLR-Data-Ward-results-WEBSITE.xlsx· Scotland: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/excel_doc/0020/179030/CLR-Scotland-LA-Data-WEBSITE.xlsxPostal voters who were not matched through the confirmation process will have been invited by their Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to register under IER. If they did not respond to the original invitation, they will have been sent up to two reminders and will also have received a personal visit.While these electors will not be removed from the register until the end of the transition as a result of the change, those existing postal voters who have not been confirmed will not be able to vote by post until they have registered individually.The Commission’s guidance to EROs emphasises the importance of targeting this particular group in order to maximise the number of electors being able to vote using their preferred method of voting at the scheduled polls in May 2015.Additionally, by law, EROs are required to write to all electors who have lost their postal vote entitlement on publication of the revised registers within one month of that publication, explaining what they need to do if they wish to continue to vote by post and providing information on how to register individually.The Commission will be publishing further information on the progress of the transition to IER in England and Wales in February 2015 and in Scotland in April 2015.

Ministry of Defence

Helicopters: Training

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the existing MoD or private sites with helicopter simulation facilities are; which services use such sites; and what the annual operating cost of each such site is.

Mr Philip Dunne: Holding answer received on 09 January 2015



A list of those Ministry of Defence establishments at which helicopter flight simulators are based is provided below. For the purposes of this answer, I have interpreted helicopter simulation facilities to mean only full-motion flight simulators. In addition to helicopter simulation, each establishment undertakes a range of defence activities and the full annual operating cost of each establishment could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Name of EstablishmentServiceRAF BensonTri-ServiceMOD Boscombe Down1Empire Test Pilots SchoolRNAS CuldroseRoyal NavyArmy Aviation Centre - Middle WallopArmyRAF ShawburyTri-ServiceRAF ValleyRoyal Air ForceRNAS YeoviltonRoyal Navy and ArmyWattishamArmy   1 - A generic flight simulator that can be configured to represent a helicopter.

Helicopters: Repairs and Maintenance

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much the (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Royal Navy spend on helicopter maintenance annually.

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which sites are used by his Department for helicopter maintenance.

Mr Philip Dunne: Holding answer received on 09 January 2015



While Helicopter platforms are flown by all three Services their support funding is programmed only by the Army and Royal Navy. The costs incurred with industry for helicopter support in financial year 2013-14 - the last year for which audited costs exist - was £253 million for the Army and £461 million for the Royal Navy. This includes all spend with industry associated with the delivery of our helicopter activity, including the cost of repair and overhaul of aircraft and capital spares, replenishment of consumable items, technical advice, post design services and, for some platforms, the provision of synthetic and other training services. As these services are typically contracted together, with payment primarily linked to the achievement of flying activity, the costs are not separately recorded. These support services are primarily delivered at contractor sites (including in Yeovil, Gosport, Almondbank and Oxford) and at helicopter main operating bases, with repair and overhaul of sub-components taking place at numerous sub-contractor locations in the UK and abroad. Maintenance services are also provided by military manpower at operating locations in the UK and abroad, but the costs associated with this are not included in the above figures as this information is not routinely collected. The majority of support activity associated with our helicopter fleets - not including the contribution made by military manpower - is delivered through long-term availability contracts where payment is largely linked to flying output. As such, we do not routinely collect data that would enable the separation of maintenance costs from the costs of repairing aircraft and capital spares, replenishment of consumable items, technical advice and post design services. However, all of these other activities contribute towards the overall helicopter maintenance effort.  Information on the main Operating Bases at which maintenance activities are conducted is attached.



219943 - Operating Bases - Maintenance Conducted
(Word Document, 28.5 KB)

Public Expenditure

Sir Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what forecast he has made of whether his Department's spending in 2015-16 will meet the NATO target of two per cent of GDP.

Michael Fallon: The Government is committed to maintaining Defence spending at 2% of GDP and we will meet the target in 2015-16.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of jobs that will be created in the UK as a result of the Scout specialist vehicle programme.

Mr Philip Dunne: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 12 January 2015.The correct answer should have been:

General Dynamics UK (GDUK) continues to award contracts to tier one suppliers for manufacture of the Scout Specialist Vehicle. GDUK currently estimates the amount of UK jobs involved in this work to be approximately 1,400 in the first tier of the supply chain across over 160 companies.

Mr Philip Dunne: General Dynamics UK (GDUK) continues to award contracts to tier one suppliers for manufacture of the Scout Specialist Vehicle. GDUK currently estimates the amount of UK jobs involved in this work to be approximately 1,400 in the first tier of the supply chain across over 160 companies.

Armed Forces: Credit Unions

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy that a credit union be established for members of HM Armed Forces and their families.

Anna Soubry: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 December 2014 to Question 216988 to the hon. Member for Harrow West (Mr Thomas).http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2014-12-03/216988/

Armed Forces: Mental Health Services

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many counsellors were employed in the armed forces in each year since 2010.

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many psychologists were employed in the armed forces in each year since 2010.

Anna Soubry: This Government takes very seriously its responsibility to ensure that Defence personnel, their families and veterans are properly looked after; advice and support to personnel suffering with mental health problems is available from a wide range of sources, both within the chain of command and from specialists. The Ministry of Defence does not employ counsellors or psychologists within the Armed Forces. However, civilian psychologists are employed by Defence Medical Services (DMS), and the following table sets out the number of civilian psychologist posts funded by DMS in each Financial Year since 2010; For information on the range of measures which have been taken to support personnel with psychological injuries, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 June 2014, (Official Report, columns 159-60W) to the hon. Member for Barnsley Central (Mr Jarvis). Financial YearNumber of Psychologist Posts in DMS2010-1172011-1272012-13122013-14152014-1515

Nuclear Submarines

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support was provided for travel and overnight accommodation for stakeholders invited to the two national workshops held in January 2015 in Birmingham and Glasgow as part of the public consultation on an interim submarine nuclear reactor pressure vessel storage site; what the total cost to the public purse was of those workshops; and what fee was paid to the consultancy Instinctif for organising those workshops.

Mr Philip Dunne: For the national events held in Birmingham and Glasgow, travel and subsistence expenses totalling £1,240 are expected to be paid to attendees. Those receiving expenses are individuals or groups with specialist knowledge or a particular interest in the project, including members of the Submarine Dismantling Project Advisory Group.The approximate total cost of the Birmingham event was £23,020 and the Glasgow event was £25,670. This included the cost of venue hire; catering; staff and stakeholder travel and subsistence; and a fee of £12,950 per event to organisers Instinctif.

Al-Sweady Inquiry

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 45 of the Report of the Al Sweady Inquiry, HC 819, what plans the Government has to investigate the nine Iraqi detainee witnesses in relation to offences they may have committed (a) in relation to their evidence to the Inquiry and (b) against British troops serving in Iraq.

Michael Fallon: The British courts would have no jurisdiction over any offences committed by those individuals either in relation to their evidence to the Inquiry or against British troops serving in Iraq. All nine were however committed in 2004 for trial in Iraq. Two were acquitted due to lack of evidence, while those convicted were subsequently pardoned under a general amnesty.

Reserve Forces

Miss Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to promote service in the Reserves.

Mr Julian Brazier: We make regular use of national and local media to increase public awareness of the contribution our Reserves make to Defence through both general marketing and highlighting Reserves activity. Recently, for example, we have publicised the support given by Reservists in the operation to counter the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. This helps to increase recognition of the contribution that Reservists make and to demonstrate to potential recruits the range of challenges and opportunities within the Reserves.The Army Reserve's updated 'More Than Meets the Eye' campaign starts on 16 January 2015 with a PR launch at Waterloo Station, whilst the Royal Air Force has also developed a Reserves-specific advert.Local units also play an important role in promoting Reserve service. For example, in your constituency, Work Place Recruiting Events were run by local Army and RAF personnel at the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs in Malton in October and November 2014.

Historic Buildings

Sir Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, to whom his Department has sold Minley Manor and for what price; how many bidders there were for that site; whether those bidders were asked to improve their offers; when the sale was completed; and what covenants were put in place relating to that sale.

Anna Soubry: Minley Manor was sold to Strong Property UK Ltd in October 2014. The Minstry of Defence does not release the details of the amount received from any recent sale as to do so would prejudice commercial interests. There were nine bidders for the site, but no bidders were asked to improve their offers due to the fact the sale was by Formal Tender. A copy of the Transfer deed showing the covenants put in place relating to the sale will be placed in the Library of the House.

Reserve Forces: Northern Ireland

Dr William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to promote the Reserves in Northern Ireland.

Mr Julian Brazier: We make regular use of national and local media to increase public awareness of the contribution our Reserves make to Defence through both general marketing and highlighting Reserves activity. Recently, for example, we have publicised the support given by Reservists in the operation to counter the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. This helps to increase recognition of the contribution that Reservists make and to demonstrate to potential recruits the range of challenges and opportunities within the Reserves.Local units also play an important role in promoting Reserve service. For example, in Antrim, 253 Northern Ireland Medical Regiment held events in Antrim Town Centre and at Junction One shopping centre on 8 and 10 January 2015 respectively.Units are holding similar events and open days at Reserve bases throughout Northern Ireland leading up to the Armed Forces Jobs and Trades Fair which is scheduled to take place at the Kings Hall, Belfast in April.

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure effective joint working between his Department and relevant partners before introducing universal credit in new areas.

Mr Mark Harper: Holding answer received on 20 November 2014



 As part of our planning process we carry out a thorough internal and external assessment to ensure that Universal Credit can be rolled out safely and securely, and a strong delivery model exists between the department and local partners.For example, internal delivery milestones must be checked and agreed to ensure that Jobcentres and their staff are ready to roll out Universal Credit. As part of this process external delivery partners will need to sign and agree a Delivery Partnership Agreement (DPA) to outline what services they will provide and to make available funded support for those who need extra help. In addition local authorities will need to sign and agree a Readiness Certificate to confirm that they are ready to roll out Universal Credit.

Social Security Benefits

Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's guidance for Performance Measurement Review Officers on how to conduct a review.

Mr Mark Harper: Holding answer received on 09 December 2014



 Yes, the guidance will be placed in the Library.Small sections of the document have been redacted to protect the health and safety of the Review Officer where they may possibly be at risk whilst undertaking their duties and to ensure the continued effectiveness of the review process.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in (a) Liverpool and (b) England were subject to sanctions in the week commencing 22 December 2014; and how many of those people had benefits withheld for that period.

Esther McVey: Holding answer received on 09 January 2015



The Department publishes Official Statistics on Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) and Employment Support Allowance (ESA) sanction decisions and information on these statistics can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/jobseekers-allowance-sanctions The latest set of Official Statistics was released on 12 November 2014 and covers all decisions made to 30 June 2014. A summary of this data can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/jobseekers-allowance-and-employment-and-support-allowance-sanctions-decisions-made-to-june-2014 These statistics contain a wide set of geographical areas, sanction reason, sanctions appeals and outcomes and if required this information can be extracted using Stat-Xplore via the following link:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/ Guidance on how to extract the information required from Stat-Xplore can be found at:https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm  The information requested is not yet available. The latest data available can be found at the links above.

Carer's Allowance

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will review the current regulations relating to carer's allowance as they apply to people who temporarily withdraw from full-time education as a result of caring responsibilities.

Mr Mark Harper: Full-time students are not normally entitled to benefits as a means of supporting themselves whilst studying. This is because primary financial support for students comes from the educational maintenance system, which is designed for their needs, rather than through the social security system. Someone who has only temporarily withdrawn from a course, but has not abandoned it, is normally still treated as being in full-time education.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Appeals

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many jobseeker's allowance claimants who have been sanctioned and have applied for mandatory reconsideration of the decision have waited (a) one to seven, (b) eight to 14, (c) 15 to 30, (d) 31 to 45, (e) 46 to 60, (f) 61 to 75, (g) 76 to 90 and (h) over 90 calendar days for that mandatory reconsideration to be adjudicated since October 2013.

Esther McVey: The information requested is not available and would only be available at disproportionate cost. The Department publishes Official Statistics on Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) sanction decisions and information on these statistics can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/jobseekers-allowance-sanctions The latest set of Official Statistics was released on 12 November 2014 and covers all decisions made to 30 June 2014. A summary of this data can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/jobseekers-allowance-and-employment-and-support-allowance-sanctions-decisions-made-to-june-2014 Information on mandatory reconsiderations of benefit decisions was released on 17th December 2014. This was an ad-hoc release of experimental statistics on MR requests made between 28thOctober 2013 and 31st October 2014. It gives an overview of MR requests across all benefits recorded on DWP’s operational systems, and a focused summary on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This data can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mandatory-reconsiderations-of-dwp-benefit-decisions-data-to-october-2014

Social Security Benefits

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department calculates the timescale for decision in a case of mandatory reconsideration of a refusal of benefit from the date on which the claimant contacts his Department to dispute the decision by telephone, the date on which a mandatory reconsideration request is made in writing, or the date on which a request is registered and received by the DWP processing centre.

Mr Mark Harper: The start date for calculating the time taken to clear an application for Mandatory Reconsideration is the date of the telephone call initiating the dispute or, where it is made in writing, the date it is received at the department’s Mail Opening Unit. If the request is made by another method – for example in person – it will be the date of that contact.

Employment and Support Allowance: Appeals

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many employment and support allowance claimants who have been sanctioned and have applied for mandatory reconsideration of the decision have waited (a) 31 to 45, (b) 46 to 60, (c) 61 to 75, (d) 76 to 90 and (e) over 90 calendar days for the mandatory reconsideration to be adjudicated since October 2013.

Esther McVey: The information requested is not available and would only be available at disproportionate cost. The Department publishes Official Statistics on Employment Support Allowance (ESA) sanction decisions and information on these statistics can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/jobseekers-allowance-sanctions The latest set of Official Statistics was released on 12 November 2014 and covers all decisions made to 30 June 2014. A summary of this data can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/jobseekers-allowance-and-employment-and-support-allowance-sanctions-decisions-made-to-june-2014 Information on mandatory reconsiderations of benefit decisions was released on 17th December 2014. This was an ad-hoc release of experimental statistics on MR requests made between 28thOctober 2013 and 31st October 2014. It gives an overview of MR requests across all benefits recorded on DWP’s operational systems, and a focused summary on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This data can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mandatory-reconsiderations-of-dwp-benefit-decisions-data-to-october-2014

Jobcentre Plus

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent representations he has received from claimants about lack of access to telephone lines within jobcentres for claims to be made and queries to be answered.

Esther McVey: The information requested is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The Digital Jobcentres project is modernising the Jobcentre digital infrastructure by delivering WiFi and public computers across the Jobcentre network.We now take over 80 per cent of new Jobseeker’s Allowance claims on line and the majority of jobs are also available on the internet. Therefore the use of Customer Access Phones has significantly reduced. However, claimants who require access to a phone in connection with their benefit or job search will still be given access to a telephone in a Jobcentre.

Members: Correspondence

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 26 November 2014, from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr A Farooqi.

Steve Webb: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mr Iain Duncan Smith replied to the Rt. Hon. Member on 14 January 2015.

Housing Benefit: EU Nationals

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much has been spent on in-work housing benefit for migrant workers from the European Economic Area who have arrived in the UK within the last (a) six months, (b) 12 months and (c) 24 months.

Esther McVey: Whilst the Government checks the immigration status of benefit claimants to ensure the benefit is paid properly and to prevent fraud, historically that information has not been collected as part of the payment administrative systems. It is therefore not possible to supply the information requested. However, the Government is looking at ways to reform the current administrative system under Universal Credit so that it will systematically record nationality and immigration status of migrants who make a claim. The Government has introduced a number of measures to restrict access to benefits over the last year in support of Government policy to focus support towards those who come to the UK in order to contribute.

Jobcentre Plus

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish the performance metrics for jobcentres.

Esther McVey: The Department regularly publishes how it is performing on key indicators in: · The Annual Report and Accounts (latest version)https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-annual-report-and-accounts-2013-to-2014 · Mid-Year Review (latest version)https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/389260/DWP-mid-year-report-2014-2015.pdf · Transparency Indicators pagehttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-business-plan-transparency-measures/dwp-business-plan-transparency-measures

Personal Independence Payment

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people in England who have waited more than (a) 30 days, (b) 60 days, (c) 90 days, (d) 120 days, (e) 150 days, (f) 180 days and (g) one year for a personal independence payment application to be completed.

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people in Dudley who have waited more than six months for a personal independence payment application to be completed.

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people in Dudley who are waiting for a personal independence payment application to be completed.

Mr Mark Harper: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 12 January 2015 to Question UIN 220004

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what incentives jobcentres have to sanction benefit claimants.

Esther McVey: Jobcentres have no incentives to sanction benefit claimants.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Fishing Catches

Mr Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will request that the Marine Management Organisation review catch limits for skate and ray for vessels under 10 metres calculated using data from January 2014, when persistent bad weather prevented smaller fishing vessels putting to sea.

George Eustice: Monthly catch limits for 2015 were informed by landings data from the three year period 2012-2014. The Government secured a rollover of the 2014 skate and ray quota for 2015, meaning that fishermen will not see a reduction in the volume of fish they may catch this year. The Marine Management Organisation is holding a meeting with key industry representatives in the South West on 21st January to discuss and seek input to quota management in this region in 2015.

Landfill

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will assess the potential merits of giving additional powers to the Environment Agency to enable it to take punitive action against landfill site operators who ignore advice not to tip during severe weather resulting in waste, dust and other potentially hazardous materials being blown off site.

Dan Rogerson: The Environment Agency includes conditions in the environmental permits it grants to operators of landfill sites. Permit conditions can require operators to take all appropriate measures to prevent fugitive emissions of substances, which can include litter, dust and mud, or where that is not practicable to minimise such emissions. Permits can also include conditions that require the operator to clear litter or mud from affected areas outside the site as soon as practicable.Breach of a permit is a criminal offence and may lead to prosecution. The Environment Agency also has a range of other enforcement powers, including the power to serve statutory enforcement notices, vary permit conditions and suspend or revoke an environmental permit.Additional enforcement powers are not considered necessary to prevent landfill operators from tipping during severe weather. However, the Government is considering the merits of enhancing Environment Agency enforcement powers to tackle waste crime.

Cane Sugar: Imports

Ms Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's policy is on EU renegotiation of quotas to get a better deal for cane sugar importers.

Ms Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to protect cane sugar refiners (a) in East London and (b) elsewhere in the UK following the lifting of beet sugar quotas in 2017.

George Eustice: During negotiations of the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy, which led to the agreement to end sugar beet production quotas in 2017, the UK pushed for the full liberalisation of the sugar regime in order to allow the sugar cane refiners to compete with the beet producers on an equal footing.Disappointingly, there was insufficient support from other Member States to secure the necessary changes as part of that exercise. However, we remain committed to working with the European Commission to address this issue through forthcoming EU trade agreements.

Dogs: Smuggling

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of changes introduced by her Department to the EU pet travel scheme which came into force on 29 December 2014 on illegal imports of puppies to the UK from other EU countries; what discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on abuse of the PETS system to illegally import puppies for sale; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: A new EU Pet Travel Regulation (576/2013) came into force on 29 December 2014 and introduced changes designed to improve the security of the scheme and traceability of the pet passport. These changes include a requirement that pets must be at least 12 weeks old when they are vaccinated against rabies. This means that, under the new EU rules, pets must be at least 15 weeks old to enter the UK.Responsibility for stopping the illegal movement of puppies begins in the country where they are born, where the authorities have a duty to ensure that the welfare of pets intended for sale is safeguarded and that EU pet passports are issued correctly. Following a recent report by the Dogs Trust ‘The Puppy Smuggling Scandal’ published in November 2014, the Chief Veterinary Officer wrote to the authorities in the countries highlighted in the report and follow up action has been taken. Defra officials will continue to act on reports of abuse of the pet travel scheme.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Food Banks

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he and other Ministers in his Department have visited a foodbank.

Kris Hopkins: Whilst my Department does not have policy responsibility for food banks, my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State (Eric Pickles), my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning (Brandon Lewis) and myself have visited local food banks.

Christmas Cards

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which (a) individuals, (b) companies and (c) other organisations receive Christmas cards from his Department.

Kris Hopkins: As has been the practice since 2010, my Department does not send out hard copy Christmas cards, but we do celebrate Christmas, including marking the Christian basis of this important time of year. We do send out an electronic departmental Christmas card, based on a template which Ministers and staff can choose to use. There is no cost to the Department. We do not centrally record every individual recipient who may have received such an e-card from the entirety of the Department. Assuming the hon. Member was not on any Christmas card list, I would direct him to the card at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/communitiesuk/15990874712/ and hope he had a happy and peaceful festive break.

Birmingham City Council

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when and by what process a decision will be made on whether to reduce the number of elections held for Birmingham City Council.

Kris Hopkins: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement of 9 December, Official Report, Column 27-29WS. We intend to change the electoral cycle of Birmingham City Council to all out elections. We intend to do this by making the appropriate Order under the Local Government Act 2000.

Training

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many staff away days there have been for staff in the office of each Minister in his Department since October 2013.

Kris Hopkins: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16 December 2014 to question UIN 205289.

Cleaning Services

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many cleaners who work in his Department are paid the London living wage.

Kris Hopkins: The Department does not employ cleaners in London.

Official Visits

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether any staff not on his Department's payroll have accompanied Ministers in his Department on official (a) foreign and (b) domestic visits since May 2010.

Kris Hopkins: From time to time, Ministers may be accompanied by civil servants from other departments, depending on the topic or nature of the visit. Ministers may, of course, also be accompanied by staff from the organisation or local body that they are visiting. But this information is not centrally recorded.

Homelessness: Greater London

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of families that have been statutorily rehoused by each London borough (a) in that borough and (b) elsewhere in each year since 2010-11.

Kris Hopkins: Figures on the numbers of households owed a main homelessness duty that have been rehoused into settled accommodation by each London borough from 2012-13 onwards are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-homelessness.These figures will include families. The figures do not specify whether households were rehoused in that borough or elsewhere.This Government has invested over £500 million since 2010 to tackle all forms of homelessness and rough sleeping. The homelessness legislation in England provides one of the strongest safety nets in the world for families with children and vulnerable people who become homeless through no fault of their own. Local authorities are required to secure suitable accommodation for homeless households within their own district so far as is reasonably practicable. If they secure accommodation in another district they are legally required to notify the local housing authority in whose district the accommodation is situated. We have made it clear that no council should be sending tenants en masse to a different part of the country. Councils have a responsibility to move homeless households into settled accommodation as quickly as possible. That is why we changed the law so that councils can place families in decent and affordable private rented homes more quickly. This will mean homeless households will not have to wait as long for settled accommodation, spending less time in temporary accommodation. Households now spend on average seven months less in temporary accommodation than at the start of 2010.

Council Housing

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on their responsibility to inform other local authorities when rehousing their residents to those authorities; and what steps his Department takes to ensure that such guidance is followed.

Kris Hopkins: Holding answer received on 09 January 2015



This Government has invested over £500 million since 2010 to prevent and tackle all forms of homelessness and rough sleeping. The homelessness legislation in England provides one of the strongest safety nets in the world for families with children and vulnerable people who become homeless through no fault of their own. Local authorities are required to secure suitable accommodation for homeless households within their own district so far as is reasonably practicable. If the authority secures accommodation in another district then section 208 of the Housing Act 1996 requires them to notify the local housing authority in whose district the accommodation is situated. We have made it clear that no council should be sending tenants en masse to a different part of the country. The statutory homelessness guidance “Homelessness Code of Guidance for local authorities” is clear on this matter. In 2012 this Government strengthened the law and supplemented statutory guidance to require authorities to take into account the impact a change in location would have including possible disruption to things like employment and schooling on individual households. Councils have a responsibility to move homeless households into settled accommodation as quickly as possible. That is why we made common sense changes to the law so that councils can place families in decent and affordable private rented homes more quickly. This will mean homeless households will not have to wait as long for settled accommodation, spending less time in temporary accommodation. Households now spend on average seven months less in temporary accommodation than at the start of 2010.

Council Tax

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many properties in (a) Swindon, (b) Wiltshire and (c) England were in each council tax band in the latest period for which figures are available.

Kris Hopkins: Details of the number of properties in each council tax band in the Swindon borough council area, the Wiltshire council area and England are shown in the attached table. The figures are as at September 2014 and are taken from the Council Taxbase October 2014 form completed by all 326 billing authorities in England. These figures are published on the gov.uk website at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/council-taxbase-2014-in-england  



Table on Council Tax Banding
(Word Document, 21.61 KB)

Scotland Office

Oil: Prices

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the effect on tax revenue from Scotland of the recent fall in the price of oil.

Mr Alistair Carmichael: The UK Government’s primary concern is to support the Scottish oil industry, which is so key to our economy.The UK economy is equipped to deal with volatile revenues, but the recent fall this morning to $45.81 per barrel would have left an independent Scotland’s finances with an £19.9 billion black hole.

Oil: Prices

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues and Ministers of the Scottish Government on the relationship between oil prices and travel costs for cross-border commuters.

Mr Alistair Carmichael: It is vital that the fall in oil prices is reflected in what consumers pay for travel, at the petrol pumps and in utility bills. The Government is monitoring the situation to ensure this is the case.

Antisemitism

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the level of anti-Semitism in Scotland.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office actively engages with religious and community groups across Scotland.We deplore all religious and racially-motivated attacks and take the matter very seriously.As my Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister has made clear, there is no place for anti-Semitism in our country.

Oil: Prices

Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on jobs in Scotland of the fall in the price of oil.

Mr Alistair Carmichael: Sustained lower oil prices are clearly challenging for companies active in the North Sea.The UK Government is committed to the long-term support of this vital industry that creates jobs and generates investment. This support includes the full implementation of the Wood Review recommendations and the package of fiscal changes and initiatives announced by the Treasury in early December designed to ease the tax burden on the industry.

Tourism

John Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made  of recent trends in the number of visitors to Scotland and their contribution to the economy in Scotland.

David Mundell: Visitors to Scotland, both domestic and international, make a vital contribution to the Scottish economy. 2014 was a fantastic year for the sector as Scotland hosted a number of world class events such as the Ryder Cup and the Commonwealth Games, and this is reflected by strong figures for the first half of 2014.

HM Treasury

Catering

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much his Department has spent on catering and hospitality since May 2010.

Andrea Leadsom: The provision of hospitality, at functions within HM Treasury for Treasury staff, other Whitehall civil servants and non-executive directors has been prohibited since 1 July 2010. Hospitality may be provided where external guests are present. The attendance of Treasury staff at such meetings is dependent on a necessary business need and their number should not exceed the number of external guests.   £000  HMT( 1)DMO( 1)APA( 2)2002-032081n/a2003-041161n/a2004-052131n/a2005-062561n/a2006-071701n/a2007-081251n/a2008-099110n/a2009-1011610(1) Data for HM Treasury and DMO are only available from 2002-03 due to the introduction of a new accounting system in that year. (2) APA was formed in December 2009.

Revenue and Customs

Shabana Mahmood: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff of each grade worked in the Local Compliance team of HM Revenue and Customs in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15 to date.

Shabana Mahmood: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff of each grade resigned from the Local Compliance team of HM Revenue and Customs in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15 to date.

Shabana Mahmood: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the compliance yield of the Local Compliance team of HM Revenue and Customs was in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15 to date.

Mr David Gauke: Information on HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff and teams is available in HMRC’s annual report and on GOV.UK.HMRC altered a number of its compliance scoring policies in 2011/12. Therefore, the Local Compliance's compliance revenue for 2010-11 are not directly comparable with later years. Year Total Compliance Revenue2011-12 £6,880m2012-13 £7,767m2013-14 £8,907m

Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the price differentials for LPG across regions of the UK.

Priti Patel: Much like other commodities, local costs of LPG depend on the local market, including regional competition factors and the different costs of transporting fuel to different regions. Costs can also vary between regions, both between suppliers and (in the case of heating LPG) according to delivery costs for different customers. There is a regime in place to monitor competition in the UK marketplace and intervene where deemed necessary.

Public Expenditure

Tom Greatrex: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of Government expenditure in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) the UK in each year since 1990.

Danny Alexander: Data for identifiable public expenditure can be found in the annual publication ‘Country and Regional Analysis’. The latest version, published in November 2014, can be found here:   https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/country-and-regional-analysis-2014   It is not possible to provide comparable data for the period requested, as the methodology used to calculate the data in the CRA is frequently revised.

Tax Collection

Mark Field: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to keep under review HM Revenue and Customs' conduct when dealing with taxpayers who seek additional time to pay as a consequence of Accelerated Payments Notices.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will treat Accelerated payments as a debt like any other, so will be able to use their normal considerations and flexibilities in cases of genuine hardship. In cases of genuine hardship, HMRC will consider alternative payment arrangements, as it does with any debt. The priority in cases of genuine hardship will be to get people on to a payment track so that the debt is paid as quickly as possible HMRC writes to individuals some weeks before issuing an Accelerated Payment notice, letting them know that one is on its way and advising anyone who may have difficulty paying to get in touch to discuss their particular circumstances.   HMRC will always ensure that its action is proportionate and that it is realistic that any agreed payment tracks will result in the liability being paid.

Pool Reinsurance Company

Stephen Gilbert: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what funds are currently managed by the Pool Re scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Gilbert: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the anticipated dividend payment to the Government and the insurance industry from the assets managed in the Pool Re scheme in 2014-15 is; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Gilbert: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has for the division of dividends on the assets held by the Pool Re scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: The total value of the Pool Re fund was £5.504 billion as at 30 September 2014.   The government has provided a guarantee to Pool Re since it was established in 1993. Last year Pool Re and HM Treasury agreed a package of reforms that provides for fair and proportionate compensation for taxpayers for the continued provision of the guarantee. These reforms will see HM Treasury’s fee increased from 10% of Pool Re’s annual premium income to 50% - an increase that we estimate will raise an additional £120m per annum. In addition, the reforms will see Pool Re make a distribution to its members and the government based on any annual surplus that it makes. Whilst the occurrence and level of that surplus are subject to inherent uncertainty, based on Pool Re’s recent results we estimate that this will see insurers who reinsure terrorism insurance risk with Pool Re and the government each receive an additional payment of approximately £55 million per annum.   The changes took effect from 1 January 2015. In total, we estimate that these changes will raise an additional £50m for the Exchequer in 2014/15, and £175m per year thereafter, compared to the previous agreement.

Foreign Companies: Taxation

Bob Stewart: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a sales tax on companies which operate in the UK and locate their headquarters overseas.

Mr David Gauke: Along with most major economies in the world, the UK has a territorial tax system that levies corporation tax on profits derived from economic activity carried out here – corporation tax is not levied on either sales or turnover.   While the Government always keeps the tax system under review, in this case it is not immediately obvious that introducing a sales tax would be a suitable approach as the tax would be likely to be passed on to consumers.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Energy: Prices

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the cost of energy for homes not connected to mains gas or electricity.

Matthew Hancock: Whilst this Government is committed to helping reduce energy bills for all consumers, we acknowledge the challenges faced by off-gas grid consumers, in particular due to higher costs of heating fuel.In November we held the Fourth Ministerial Roundtable on heating oil and LPG, bringing together industry, consumer groups and MPs to discuss issues affecting off-gas grid customers. We co-ordinate and support the industry’s “Buy Oil Early” campaign, so people stock up at good times for price and quick delivery. In December the Autumn Statement allocated £25m to DECC for funding the installation of central heating in off-gas grid households that currently do not have such a system.The launch of the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive last year gives off-gas grid households a real choice of heating for the first time, by providing payments to offset the extra cost of installing renewable heating technologies compared to the replacement of their existing system.Energy efficiency is often the best way to reduce both heating and electricity bills. The Green Deal Home Improvement Fund offers grants to all householders for energy efficiency improvements to their home, such as insulation, whilst our amendments to the ECO Affordable Warmth scheme provide stronger incentives for energy suppliers to install energy efficiency measures in off-gas grid homes.More widely the Warm Home Discount, worth £140 this year, will go to more than two million low income and vulnerable households, including many off the gas grid.

Cabinet Office

Charities

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many new charities were established (a) in the UK and (b) in Swindon in each of the last five years.

Mr Rob Wilson: The total number of registrations, along with other key figures, is available through the Charity Commission’s Annual Report which is available both on its website at: http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/registerhomepage.aspx and is also in the House Library.This holds key information of all 164,000 registered charities in England and Wales. The advanced search function allows the user to search by registration date, operating area, income band, charitable purpose and other key items.

Crime: Rural Areas

Miss Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of recent trends in rural crime; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



ONS Letter to Member - Trends in Rural Crime
(PDF Document, 177.02 KB)

Department for Culture Media and Sport

Facebook

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations he has made to Facebook about online abuse of people with autism.

Mr Edward Vaizey: DCMS has not made any representations to Facebook about online abuse of people with autism. However, the Government is working closely with social media companies, including Facebook, to improve reporting mechanisms so that online abuse in any form can be addressed quickly, with accounts being closed as necessary.

Arts: Greater Manchester

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which arts (a) organisations and (b) events in Greater Manchester he has visited in an official capacity since his appointment.

Mrs Helen Grant: Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on the Departmental website:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/313639/Transparency_Declarations_Oct-Dec_2013_csv.csv/preview

Broadband: Urban Areas

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2014 to Question 218397, on broadband: urban areas, to which 28 cities his Department has written.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The 28 cities invited to participate in the Connection Voucher Scheme are listed below. We have also invited the current 22 SuperConnected cities to continue with their connection voucher schemes for a further year. The final list of participating cities will be confirmed before the scheme goes live in April.  LiverpoolDundeeNottinghamGlasgowSheffieldSwanseaSunderlandChelmsfordHullExeterPrestonGloucesterWolverhamptonPeterboroughLeicesterIpswichNorwichMiddlesbroughPlymouthMilton KeynesSouthamptonReadingStoke on TrentSouthend on SeaSwindonBournemouthStirlingInverness

Government Art Collection

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much his Department has spent on the Government Art Collection in each year since May 2010.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The table below sets out how much the Department has spent on the Government Art Collection (GAC) since May 2010. I have included figures for 2009-10 for the Hon. Member’s background and wider understanding. YearGovernment Art Collection Administration CostsGAC Collection Purchases££  2009-101,027,077323,4642010-11954,237208,5272011-12923,61902012-13942,71202013-14937,770116,985   There were no new purchases of artwork for the Collection in 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Public Libraries

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which recommendations in the Independent Library Report for England, published in December 2014, he (a) accepts and (b) rejects.

Mr Edward Vaizey: We accept all the recommendations in the Independent Library Report for England. The solutions are practical and will help to continue to build strong, dynamic partnerships across the library sector.

Broadband: Urban Areas

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Answer of 16 December 2014 to Question 217969, which four cities were considered and rejected in wave 1; which six cities were considered and rejected in wave 2; and for what reasons each city in each wave was rejected.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The cities' bids for the SuperConnected Cities Programme (SCCP) were scored according to specific criteria, including governance, project management capacity and project vision. Winning bids were selected on the basis of those scores and the amount of money available. For wave 1 there were unsuccessful bids from Glasgow, Liverpool, Nottingham and Sheffield. For wave 2, there were unsuccessful bids from Dundee, Kingston-Upon-Hull, Preston, Sunderland, Swansea and Wolverhampton. All of these cities have been invited to participate in the Broadband Connection Vouchers Scheme from April 2015

Public Libraries: WiFi

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the recommendations of the Independent Library Report for England, published in December 2014, what estimate he has made of the cost of providing WiFi in all public libraries.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The cost of providing WiFi in public libraries varies depending on a range of factors including the installation of WiFi only, the number of libraries that require access and the type of equipment needed, as well as the possibility of other organisations contributing resources. We are currently investigating all funding options. We are providing free WiFi in over 1000 public buildings in cities across the UK, including certain libraries as part of the £150m Super Connected Cities

House of Commons Commission

Staff

Mr John Spellar: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Commons Commission, what (a) security and (b) immigration checks are made on casual staff working in Parliament.

John Thurso: The House Service ceased to engage casual workers last year. It does, however, engage staff supplied by agencies from time to time to meet unexpected demands and peaks of work.Agency workers, in common with directly employed staff, are security cleared to Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) level and immigration/right to work checks are undertaken. The latter is done by requiring documentary evidence and in line with HMG’s Baseline Personal Security Standard.

Department of Health

Cancer: Northern Ireland

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will discuss with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive the recent increase in the number of people living in Northern Ireland with cancer.

Jane Ellison: As health is a devolved matter, Ministers do not routinely discuss such issues with their colleagues in the Devolved Administrations. However, research and evidence of best practice is made available throughout the United Kingdom.

Organs: Donors

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of people in Denton and Reddish constituency are registered organ donors; and what plans he has to increase the number of organ donors.

Jane Ellison: Denton and Reddish constituency figures can be found below, with comparative information for the North West region and the United Kingdom.   NHS Organ Donor Register registrations   Denton and ReddishNorth WestUKMid-2012 population estimate86,0737,080,00063,930,000ODR as at 8 January 201526,7622,137,95720,894,599% of population on the ODR31.130.232.7Source: NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) The UK Health Departments and NHSBT have committed to develop national strategies to promote a shift in public attitudes. A new seven year UK-wide organ donation and transplantation strategy Taking Organ Donation towards 2020 was published by NHSBT in July 2013. The strategy focuses on increasing consent rates, encouraging people to be proud to donate, making the UK system comparable with the best of the world and giving many more people the opportunity of receiving a transplant. The strategy is available online at:   http://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/to2020/   In partnership with the Cabinet Office and the Department of Health, NHSBT has developed an approach to prompt people to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register via Government owned channels such as applying for a driving licence and paying car tax online. Most recently, NHSBT’s Christmas campaign in December 2014 encouraged people to sign up to the NHS organ donor register.   In the UK by April 2014, organ donation rates increased by 60% and transplant rates by 47% since 2008. The government continues to support work to further increase donation and transplantation rates, particularly promoting collaborative working amongst organisations and raising awareness of donation in the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic population.

Mental Health Services: Greater Manchester

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people in Denton and Reddish constituency have waited more than (a) 28 days, (b) three months and (c) six months for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services in each of the last five years.

Norman Lamb: The information is not available in the format requested.   Information showing the number of referrals entering treatment and those waiting more than 28, 90 and 180 days for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services for the Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Tameside and Glossop CCG in 2013-14 is shown in the following table.   OrganisationReferrals entering treatmentNumber waiting more than 28 daysNumber waiting more than 90 daysNumber waiting more than 180 daysNHS Stockport CCG2,3301,9851,095475NHS Tameside and Glossop CCG2,0451,520795300   Source: Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) dataset   Notes:In order to enter treatment a referral must have a first treatment appointment (an appointment with a therapy type recorded) in the year.CCG is based on General Practitioner practice.Waiting time is measured by counting the number of days between a referral being received and the first treatment appointment. For 2013-14, the presence of a valid therapy type was used as an indicator of whether the treatment was provided in the course of the appointment.Figures are rounded to the nearest five.This data is based upon a count of referrals received by IAPT services, not distinct people. In order to be included in these figures, a referral must have a first treatment appointment in the relevant reporting period (1 April 2013 to 31 March).

Hepatitis

Mr Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what support is in place for the provision of public health initiatives in localities considered by Public Health England to have a high prevalence of hepatitis C.

Jane Ellison: Public Health England supports work on local prioritisation of hepatitis C services by producing factsheets for local government, publishing a template to support commissioning by estimating the number of people infected with hepatitis C locally and the costs of treatment. It has also published local liver profiles at local authority level which includes, key local statistics and prevention guidance on hepatitis C and questions for local authority Health and Wellbeing Boards to consider.

NHS: Standards

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on satisfaction levels for (a) GP surgeries and (b) hospitals in each of the last five years.

George Freeman: The principal source of information about patients’ experiences with general practitioner (GP) surgeries is the GP Patient Survey that is commissioned by NHS England. For hospitals, the main source is the Patient Experience Survey Programme that is carried out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).   The results of these surveys are publicly available on the NHS England and CQC websites.

Depressive Illnesses

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the uptake of mindfulness-based interventions in the treatment of repeat-episode depression.

Norman Lamb: Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence approved treatment for recurrent depression and is available through a number of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services.   No assessment has been made of the uptake of mindfulness-based interventions in the treatment of repeat-episode depression.

Drugs

Mr John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the annual value of the market in the UK of the illicit sale of pharmaceuticals; and what steps he is taking to restrict that market.

George Freeman: In the United Kingdom, there are strict legal controls on the retail sale, supply and advertisement of medicinal products and these controls apply equally to medicines sold or supplied via internet or e-mail transactions.   Illegal trading in medicines and medical devices can have a direct impact on the health of the UK public and consequently breaches in legislative requirements are taken very seriously. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has responsibility for enforcing medicines legislation and during the course of last year received over 4,500 reports of suspect activity involving medicines and medical devices, 270 of which led to a criminal investigation.   There are no figures to quantify the total value of illegal trading in medicines but during 2014, 4,512 packages containing an estimated 6,028,538 doses were seized by the MHRA at the UK Border. The MHRA has estimated that seizures from April 2014 to date have a likely re-sale value of £11.5 million – this includes £9.5 million seized during Operation Pangea.   MHRA works closely with UK Border Force and joint exercises which targeted imports from countries known to source non-compliant medicines have been undertaken. Training to identify suspicious trading in medicines has been provided to UKBF personnel and a national Strategic Threat Assessment on pharmaceutical crime is being developed.   MHRA monitors the internet for websites operating outside legal requirements and, in collaboration with Internet Service Providers, takes steps to close down sites both in the UK and abroad.   MHRA also works with industry and other stakeholders to identify illegal activity involving medicines and hosts both Falsified Medicines and Pharmaceutical Industry Stakeholder Groups.   MHRA actions aim to tackle both supply and, equally important, demand for illegally traded medicines and has instigated a number of public awareness campaigns delivered by the MHRA and also by MHRA in conjunction with other stakeholders such as the General Pharmaceutical Council, patient groups and the pharmaceutical industry.   New requirements for wholesalers and distributors of medicines introduced by the Falsified Medicines Directive were implemented in the UK in August 2013 and strengthen controls on the regulated supply chain.

Heart Diseases

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates.

Jane Ellison: As set out in the Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Strategy, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates could be improved with better and earlier cardiopulmonary resuscitation. NHS England's National Clinical Director for Heart Disease, Professor Huon Gray, has established an advisory group of all resuscitation stakeholders including the Resuscitation Council UK and Directors of Ambulance Services to look at ways to tackle this issue.   In addition the Department for Education, working with the Department of Health, has developed a programme which aims to contribute to improving survival rates of out of hospital cardiac arrests by helping schools purchase defibrillators at a competitive price.

Cancer

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the potential link between water pollution and cancers of the colon and brain.

Jane Ellison: Water quality is well regulated; the Drinking Water Inspectorate is responsible for regulating public drinking water and the Environment Agency is responsible for regulating water in the environment. Public Health England provides health risk advice to both these organisations and other public bodies (e.g. local authorities) on water pollution or water contamination incidents. In 2008, the United Kingdom expert committee on carcinogenicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment (COC) considered the potential cancer risk from chlorination disinfection by-products including colon and brain cancer. The COC concluded that the evidence for a causal association between cancer and exposure to chlorination disinfection by-products is limited and any such association is unlikely to be strong.

Neurofibromatosis

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what funding he has made available for the treatment of neurofibromatosis type 1 in the last five years.

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to raise awareness of the effect of neurofibromatosis type 1.

Norman Lamb: NHS England does not allocate funding to specific services; information broken down to this level is not collected.   There are currently no plans for awareness raising activity in relation to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), which is an inherited condition. Information for the public on the diagnosis and treatment of NF1 can be found on the NHS Choices website, which sets out the key signs and symptoms of the condition, including: coffee colored patches on the skin, two or more neurofibromas (bumps on or under the skin); bone defects, such as bowing of the lower leg; and, a family history of NF1. The NF1 webpages can be viewed at the following link:   www.nhs.uk/conditions/Neurofibromatosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx   Further information can be found on the Neuro Foundation web site www.nfauk.org, or for general practitioners and other health professionals, on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence website:   www.evidence.nhs.uk

Neurofibromatosis

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what funding he has made available for research into neurofibromatosis type 1 in the last five years.

George Freeman: Expenditure by the Department’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on neurofibromatosis type 1 research through research programmes, research centres and units, and research fellowships is shown in the following table.   £ million 2009-102010-112011-122012-132013-140.00.00.00.10.1   The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including neurofibromatosis type 1. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality. In all disease areas, the amount of NIHR funding depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity.

Cannabis: Misuse

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the extent of addiction to skunk cannabis in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: This information is not collected centrally. Users of skunk are not separately identified from people who use other forms of cannabis, either in regular surveys of drug use or treatment data.

Hepatitis

Mr Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what financial incentives are available for primary and secondary public health providers for screening programmes to improve diagnosis rates of hepatitis C in (a) localities considered by Public Health England to have a high prevalence of hepatitis C and (b) Cheshire.

Jane Ellison: There are currently no national direct financial incentives for screening programmes to improve the diagnostic rates for hepatitis C. However, NHS England sub-regions, working with other commissioners, have the ability to implement local incentives to improve diagnosis. The Department does not hold any information about any such local incentives that might have been put in place, including Cheshire.

Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme

Mr Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will ensure that all monies received from industry rebate payments under the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme are utilised for the prescribing of medicines by NHS England.

Mr Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of industry rebate payments under the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) on improving patients' access to innovative medicines; and what estimate he has made of the additional number of innovative medicines prescribed as a result of those payments.

George Freeman: In England, Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) payments are taken into account in the allocations to NHS England through the Mandate. All the payments will go back into spending on improving patients’ health and care.   The NHS England budget for 2015-16 already takes account for money anticipated from higher than expected PPRS payments. The Mandate for 2015-16 has a set firm NHS England budget for 2015-16, which is £3billion (3%) higher than its budget for 2014-15. This increase takes into account a number of things, including additional funding for the National Health Service announced in the Autumn Statement and the fact that the PPRS payment in 2015-16 is now forecast to be higher than originally expected.   It will be up to NHS England how they split that overall budget between clinical commissioning groups, specialised commissioning etc. Following normal Government accounting rules there is no separately identified ring-fenced funding stream associated with the PPRS payment.   The PPRS helps all member companies to compete globally by providing stability in United Kingdom prices. It includes a number of initiatives to help speed uptake of medicines approved by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the NHS. Sales of new active substances launched on or after 1 January 2014 are exempt from payments though still included in the overall limit on growth and the payments made by industry as a whole. This recognises and rewards innovation.   Net sales growth from the first nine months of 2014 compared to 2013 was 5.9 per cent. This was higher than the agreed forecast growth of 3.87 per cent. and shows that patients are benefitting from greater access to branded medicines. Most companies have enjoyed growth in sales in 2014, with over 40 per cent. of companies having double-digit growth rates.